- About 70 delegates, drawn from the fifteen member states of UCLG-Africa Eastern Africa took part in the caucus held at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi last week.
- The caucus was held in preparation of the ninth edition of the Africities Summit scheduled from May 17 to 21 in Kisumu.
Image: FAITH MATETE
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong'o is now the vice president of United Cities and Local Governments of Africa, East Africa Regional Caucus.
About 70 delegates, drawn from the 15 member states of the UCLG-Africa Eastern Africa took part in the caucus at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi last week.
They were represented by the chairpersons and secretary generals of the national associations of subnational and local governments of East Africa countries.
Also, the chairpersons of the country chapters of the Network of Locally Elected Women of Africa and a representative of young elected officials aged 35 and under for the network of Young Locally Elected Officials of Africa.
The countries include Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Djibouti, Madagascar, Sudan, Eritrea and Comoros.
Nyong’o was elected unanimously by the delegates having received the endorsement of the outgoing vice president Innocent Uwimana.
Uwimana is also the chairman of Rwanda Association of Local Governments Authorities.
He opted not to seek reelection to support Kenya’s bid for the position.
In his endorsement, Uwimana said the governor had what it takes to clinch the seat.
The caucus was held in preparation of the ninth edition of the Africities Summit scheduled from May 17 to 21 in Kisumu.
The theme of the Summit is: The Role of Intermediary Cities of Africa in the Implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063.
Various speakers highlighted the importance of the next Africities summit as a platform to exchange ideas on decentralisation in Africa.
Also the exchange of sustainable best practices in the local government and with other stakeholders such as ministers, development partners, civil society and private sector operators.
“As a country, we join UCLGA in urging delegates from all member states from East African, to join us in Kisumu, as UCLGA holds its first summit in an intermediary city,” Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa said while delivering his keynote address.
Nyong’o said he is optimistic that that the success of this summit will open the door for other intermediary cities in future to host the event.
Other lucrative positions won by Kenya’s affiliate bodies, the Council of Governor’s and the County Assemblies Forum are the Pan African Council member, REFELA chairperson of Election Commission and executive committee member YELO.
The positions were won by Kirui Chepkwony from Nandi county, the secretary general of CAF, Hilda Kwamboka, an MCA from Mombasa county and June Ndegwa from Nairobi county and the president of CAF’s Youth Commission respectively.
This is the fourth caucus following the causes of Central, North and West African regions.
The regional caucuses are also instrumental in mobilising delegates for the Africities summit held after every three years.
The caucus was also attended by UN-Habitat’s director for African Office Oumar Sylla, the Devolution Principal Secretary Julius Korir and secretary general UCLG Africa Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)